Southend & Rawreth: Marine Unit keeps water-users safe with first fixed penalty notice for breach of new order

An officer from our Marine Unit has issued the first fixed penalty notice in the country for an infringement of a water-based public spaces protection order.

A Rawreth man was fined £100 for breaching the PSPO in Southend. He was identified as being the owner of a personal watercraft (PWC) which had launched into a restricted area. 

Originally, covering the city centre and seafront, the PSPO was extended by Southend City Council in March to include the whole of the Southend foreshore area from East Beach in Shoeburyness to Two Tree Island, Leigh, where there are sites of special scientific interest.

It brought in conditions for the safe use of PWCs and the only site within it where PWCs can be launched, recovered and used is Shoebury Common Slipway, Ness Road, Shoeburyness.

The incident happened on 10 August and was reported to us a week later. PC Ian Newling investigated and this resulted in a fixed penalty notice being issued on 2 September.

PC Newling said the rider of the PWC had been riding it irresponsibly and playing up to a crowd without regard to the consequences for other water users.

“I identified the owner, who had helped to launch the PWC, and it was clear that he was also involved.
“We’ve seen a rise in the use of personal watercraft since the pandemic, as well as a significant increase in the number of kayakers, stand-up paddle-boarders and swimmers.
“Not all are proficient or confident in the sea while some PWCs can reach speeds of up to 90mph. People don’t always know how to use them and so the PSPO was extended across the city council’s seaward limits to help keep everyone safe.
“The weather this summer has dampened spirits somewhat so we have not seen much anti-social behaviour on the water but we will take action against people who disregard the rules and place themselves and others in danger.
“We don’t want to discourage people from coming to the coast or using PWCs. The idea is simply to make sure that everyone is safe and that includes the riders themselves.”

Within the Southend PSPO, anyone riding a PWC along the foreshore has to stay at least 400m away from any public beach, pier or berthing area.

Failure to comply is a criminal offence that can lead to a fixed penalty notice of £100 being issued, or a fine of up to £1,000 upon conviction at court.

 

Staying safe on the water

Heading to the coast or out on the water is a great way to have fun and stay active but, before you go, do read this advice and information from our partner agencies about staying safe on the water.

Read the Southend Marine Public Spaces Protection Order in full.

For more information on water safety, RYA courses, byelaws and launch sites, read our PWC Code of Conduct.